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Abstract

A high-frequency train of 5–100-ps pulses (picket fence) is
proposed to improve significantly the third-harmonic frequency
conversion of Nd:glass lasers that are used to generate
high-contrast-shaped pulses for inertial confinement fusion (ICF)
targets. High conversion efficiency of the low-power foot of a
shaped ICF pulse is obtained by use of a low duty cycle,
multi-gigahertz train of ∼20-ps pulses with high peak power. Even
with less than 10% duty cycle, continuous illumination is maintained
on the target by a combination of temporal broadening schemes. The
picket fence approach is analyzed, and the practical limits are
identified as applied to the National Ignition Facility laser. It
is found that the higher conversion efficiency allows ∼40% more
third-harmonic energy to be delivered to the target, potentially
enabling the larger drive needed for high-yield ICF target
designs. In addition, the frequency conversion efficiency of these
short pulses saturates much more readily, which reduces the transfer of
fluctuations at the fundamental and thus greatly improves the power
stability of the third harmonic.

References

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